James Taylor was in an interesting place when he recorded the colossally
underrated Flag. Fresh off his double-platinum J.T. (also available on Mobile
Fidelity SACD MOBSA2070), the artist who defines the singer-songwriter genre
had just collaborated with Art Garfunkel and Carly Simon, undertaken a Broadway
musical, and become more active in political affairs. All these factors
contribute to this 1979 treasure, which finds Taylor plying more of his
trademark mellow vibes and insightful, soul-gazing lyrics.

While Flag has been previously remastered for CD, it’s never been sourced from
the original analog master tapes. Mobile Fidelity’s brilliant-sounding hybrid
SACD is, and the results are as spectacular as chilling out to Taylor’s
mellifluous voice on a summer night. Flush with exquisite acoustic textures,
beautiful tonalities, and studio-perfect dynamics, this audiophile version
brings Taylor’s music to life like never before.

Having landed in the Top Ten and sold more than two million copies, Flag
nonetheless remains one of Taylor’s most under-appreciated efforts. And it’s not
because the content is lacking. The beloved singer enters his hallmark
storytelling mode on “Sleep Come Free Me” and dizzies the senses with the
beloved “Rainy Day Man.” Drawing from his musical Working (based on legendary
author Studs Terkel’s book of the same name), “Millworker” and “Brother Trucker”
are lessons in character studies, Taylor’s narratives peering into the heart of
blue-collar America and reflecting his knack for the everyman — and everywoman.

Similarly, a pair of covers — "Up on the Roof" and "Day Tripper" — show his
knack for reverent interpretation as well as originality. Flag reveals why we
love JT. The literary descriptiveness, at-home folk arrangements, soft-rock
fireplace coziness, captivating emotion, faithful tones, and stellar sense of
instrumental placement, be it backing vocals, nuanced percussion, pedal-steel
guitar, or subtle horns, the latter courtesy of do-it-all saxophonist David
Sanborn. Alas, many of these facets have long gone unnoticed.

Ever since its original release, Flag has been plagued with muddled sound. No
longer. Mobile Fidelity’s digital reissue unlocks the well-kept sonic secrets and floods the record with the intimacy and impact that have always lurked
underneath the surface. Finally, Taylor’s finite acoustic playing, well-mannered
melodies, reflective words, and refined singing are experienced as a whole. The
amount of new musical information that’s been uncovered will boggle the minds of
even the most ardent Taylor fans.

Trust us: Flag is one of Taylor’s finest works. After three decades, hear it all
for yourself. And discover what is certain to become of your new favorite
records.